Hamilton Lake, High Sierra Trail, Sequoia National Park. The California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act and The Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act, together aimed at granting Wilderness status to more than 300,000 acres in California, passed the House Committee on Natural Resources last week, thereafter to face the full House.

"This legislation," said Senator Barbara Boxer, who is pushing companion bills in the Senate, "will ensure that these beautiful areas will be sustained and preserved as part of California’s identity and rich, natural heritage.”